Starting from Boise and working your way counterclockwise around the state to some of the best outdoor spots makes for one memorable Idaho road trip. There are lots of great things to do in Whitefish for every season if you know where to look! We headed back to our lodge where we (annoyingly) had to change rooms, since there were no rooms available 2 nights in a row. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a We really enjoyed experiencing the beauty of the different thermal pools, as neither of us had really seen anything like them before. We spent the morning exploring the different geyser basins throughout Yellowstone. Multiple scenic byways, some of the most picturesque mountain views in the state, and plenty of waterfront beauty makes this road trip one you'll never forget. Taking a guided tour is a fantastic option for Going to the Sun Road because it allows you to sit back and take in the views while learning about the history of the park and the flora and fauna that inhabit it. Do you have suggestions for Yellowstone or an itinerary that would be best to see both? Georgies Outdoor Mexican Cafe has a quesadilla bursting with melted cheese and generously portioned fish tacos. Alica tried looking online. This! On the way into Bruneau Dunes, we noticed a sign for a winery from the side of the road. At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. Multiple scenic byways, some of the most picturesque mountain views in the state, and plenty of waterfront beauty makes this road trip one you'll never forget. Youll be walking distance from everything in Whitefish! Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a We had a rough plan in place prior to our trip but gave ourselves the leeway to make unexpected stops the way hence why we hit Yellowstone twice! About halfway there, we had our first animal encounter - a dog darted out in front of our car. The museum & cultural center showcases the traditions and culture of tribes that have traditionally been passed down orally from generation to generation, as well as examples of cultural tribal artifacts from the Salish, Pend dOreille and Kootenai tribes like basket weavings, beaded vests and more. Psst: Looking for more of our favorite outdoorsy destinations? Crystal (historical) 29F. But one of them stood out above all the rest: Many Glacier Hotel. The ladies were very nice and gave us some numbers of local mom and pop places we could try. Day 3-4 of your Montana Road Trip: Bozeman. No boards for us. So cool! After breakfast, spend a few hours strolling around downtown Whitefish, taking in all its charm and shopping opportunities. Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance. Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast! We sampled some wines (he joined us because why not!?) When we arrived at Small Dune (where the sledding was done), there was a couple heading back to their car. We continued on our way until stopping for the night in Helena, Montana. Youll have easy access to the boutique specialty shops and galleries in town, and still within reach of all the outdoor activities. As the day went on, the skies began to clear and we were able to experience the sheer beauty of the park. By the time we left the monument, it was around 7:00 and we decided it was a good time to start looking for a place to stay the night. A waitress showed us a photo of herself at four months old next to a bear her father had just killed. Is it less disruptive to visit Whitefish during the day but stay elsewhere? WebThe route to here from Bear Lake weaves along the Idaho/Wyoming border through Jackson, Wyoming, and passes west of another popular local destination, Grand Teton National Park, before ending in West Yellowstone, Montana. We continued for a stop at must-see on any Idaho road trip, Craters of the Moon National Monument - an insanely unique landscape in the middle of nowhere. So, we made the hour and a half drive to Ashton for affordable lodging, which we found at the Eagle Peak Lodge. Alternatively, if youll be heading back to Boise or into Wyoming from Sun Valley on your Idaho road trip itinerary, make it a point to stop by Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve for some dramatically different landscape to everything youve seen on the trip so far. Alicias bag didnt make the connecting flight and we had to come back and pick it up later in the afternoon. A Rookies Road Trip Through Montana, Wyoming and Idaho A car-averse traveler finds freedom in the drivers seat, covering 700 miles and three states over three days. Jackson Glacier seen from Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. The artichoke spinach dip and conversation with local patrons were to die for.Ponderosa Pies is a food truck in Salmon that I wish we tried (they were sold out when we went). The hike consists of six unforgiving miles straight uphill, covering 3653 feet of elevation. The entire state is a paradise for anyone who loves hiking, swimming, or anything outdoorsy. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. A good rule of thumb is to aim for under four hours of driving per day so you have time to enjoy your destination. Youll be able to do and see so much more compared to the rest of the year. Adding it to my bucketlist. After two wonderful days in Glacier National Park, its time to continue your journey through Montana. We learned there used to be 7 volcanoes in the area, the last of which erupted 2,000 years ago. Day 1: Travel to Riggins, Idaho by way of Boise. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It was cute, and we picked up some locally grown cherries and bison pepperoni for the road. No Practical Wanderlust guide would be complete without a brewery recommendation, so after your pizza hit up Tamarack Brewery. We headed over to the dune and met another family with 2 sleds. So much has been said about Yellowstone already, so Ill just share a list of attractions we visited in the park: Detour to Ashton, IdahoIt is impossible to find a campsite in Yellowstone in the summertime. We moved along quickly because we wanted to make sure we made it out to the main road before it was completely dark. Or, you can charter a boat shuttle. Note: If youre planning to stay in Whitefish, we recommend considering stopping your trip through the park mid-way at Logan Pass, going for a lovely day hike we recommend the 5 mile Hidden Lake hike using the facilities at the Logan Visitor Center, and then turning around and heading back to West Glacier or Many Glacier. Youll need to purchase a $10 recreation permit for any outdoor activities you do on the south side of the lake, including fishing or day-hiking. The scenery at Pine Creek Lake is stunning, but boy, do you have to work for it. Alicia was surprisingly calm about the predicament Dana put us in. Would love any/all suggestions for ways to be a responsible tourist while respecting, enjoying, and supporting the local community in Whitefish! The pass also gets you free parking at all federal recreation areas. The road coming in was very windy with a huge drop off over the side of a cliff (this made Alicia especially nervous since the cliff edge was just inches from the passenger side door). Drop us a comment below! With so many gorgeous scenic byways and charming rural towns to stop in along the way, the journey can be as much of a draw as the destinations themselves. You might recognize the town as the setting of A River Runs Through It (if not, be sure to watch it or read the book before your trip)! Those who complain about visitors and new residents dont seem to realize that most of these folks who have been rude to staff in establishments and our Natl Parks, who have been raging litter bugs and just generally inconsiderate have been among their own. This gave us the perfect excuse to check out downtown Boise. But if you wait until after school starts, youll be able to enjoy a much less crowded park and absolutely perfect weather! The simplest answer I can give you is to seek out Native-owned businesses. Since this itinerary is a loop, you can rent a car directly at the airport once you arrive in Missoula. As we headed on towards our cabin at Lake Lodge, we got to experience some of the awesome wildlife that Yellowstone has to offer. What is the best time of year to visit Montana? Day 16 Whitefish, MT drive to Calgary, AB. It literally felt like being at Disney World. If you cant maybe theyll put up with you at Disney Land. My husband has always wanted to visit Montana and the surrounding areas and this post gives me a great place to start! But be sure to time your visit just right: the road opens in June or July and closes for weather-related reasons around late September or early October, so be sure to check that date before you go (and remember: the weather in Montana is unpredictable AF). A 12-Day Road Trip Itinerary for Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas Before we dive in here, it's important to note that this itinerary does include traversing through or near some Indigenous lands, mostly belonging to It was lightly trafficked, and we got to see more great sights in the stillness of the natural surroundings. Sorry I dont usually post comments like this we were just alarmed. They also detest all those who are moving here especially if youre from California but theyre happy to take your money. Here are a few highlights: Sawtooth Lake (10 miles RT, moderate rating) Pettit Lake to Twin Lakes (13 miles RT, moderate rating) Bench Lakes (7.8 miles RT, moderate rating) Alpine Lake Trail (7.4 miles RT, moderate rating) You can find tons of other hikes on AllTrails. WebThe route to here from Bear Lake weaves along the Idaho/Wyoming border through Jackson, Wyoming, and passes west of another popular local destination, Grand Teton National Park, before ending in West Yellowstone, Montana. One thing that stood out to us on this trip, compared to other road trips weve taken, was the beauty of the drives. Doing this will spare you both money and time during long stretches of driving and help you eat a little healthier. })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P6R8DKB'); 3 years ago we quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and took off on a (disastrous) year-long honeymoon. Which gives me hope for my future llama-owning self. We set ourselves to brainstorming and researching what our other options for the park would be, but in the meantime, we werent going to let it spoil the rest of the day. They were also aggressively anti-mask. Make sure you give plenty of space to the animals in national parks, even ones that arent aggressive! The oatmeal pancake is a must-try! It was another awesome Alicia & Dana Adventure! Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr The ladies at the front desk informed us that they had no rooms available, and as far as they knew there were no rooms anywhere between Idaho Falls and Boise (3 hours away and our final destination for the trip). I was lucky enough to have a lakeside room, and that view was everything. Day 10: Twin Falls, Idaho to Boise, Idaho, Our car bed was actually not too bad. This road trip is focused around western Montana in Glacier Country, so we recommend booking your flights in and out of Missoula. We tried to book a Foodie Tour, but they were sold out, so we decided to make our own! My trip to Montana, which was hosted by a State tourism bureau, was eye-opening; I realized how little I know about our American Indian neighbors and the ways in which my country (and by extension, myself) are still, today, complicit in oppressing Indigenous culture and communities. We were averaging about $250 a night. This luxury condo in downtown Bigfork has spectacular views of Swan River, you can hear the sounds of rushing white water from the deck, and the loft bedroom has cathedral windows looking across spectacular views. Please also be courteous and wear a mask where required. Unsubscribe anytime. Dont own an RV? Thanks for sharing all this info! Subscribe and well send you our FREE 22-page Travel Planning Guide. The shuttles are ADA accessible and make several stops, but take about the same amount of time as driving your personal vehicle. Not only will you be learning about the park directly from the people who originally inhabited (and still, technically, own) it, but your tour fee will be directly supporting a Native-owned business. and enjoyed chatting with the owner and his father. Montana looks so beautiful in your pictures! Huckleberries are a Montana Thing, and youll want to make it a point to eat them in as many different forms as you can while youre in Montana! Getting little glimpses into the real lives of the local people is one of our favorite parts of traveling the world! Its important to be aware of your impact in Glacier, like any National Park. To get you started, we mapped out an Idaho road trip for you and the family with more diversity than most cross-country trips can provide. Every few feet, Boxcar would find an exciting looking leaf to munch on, which gave me a chance to catch my breath and earn brownie points for letting him snack. Whats the difference between a bison and a buffalo? In case you were wondering, they are completely different animals that are often mistaken for each other, but only bison can be found in North America. It is a beautiful, scenic spot. Additionally, my trip was hosted by Glacier Country, Montana. WebThe ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. Here are our picks: Your first stop after Missoula is the stunning, outdoorsy town of Whitefish, Montana, located just outside of Glacier National Park. But nothing was going to keep up from experiencing the wonders of Glacier National Park! They also decided to rename the center to honor three of the chiefs that represent the native tribes of CSKT, the Salish, Pend dOreille, and Kootenai. It was the perfect way to end the first day of the Wyoming portion of our road trip. And like, Im not going to lie: this was probably the best thing Ive ever done in my entire life. Road Trip through Idaho to Missoula, Montana After splashing and sunning in Lava Hot Springs and leaving our comfy digs in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we headed straight up the I-15 and then I-90 into Missoula, Montana, our home for two nights and three action packed days. Before you head out, pack a picniclunch to keep you fueled up as you hike through the island looking for wild horses! Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Jet boating, Hells Canyon. We had to wait in a long line just to get up close enough to see the spring, and then we had to keep the line moving, so we didnt really even get to enjoy it. Our alarms jarred us awake in pitch black (which felt strange since we had woken with the sun at 5:30 on the previous mornings) with the pounding of rain on the roof of our cabin. Read more Access exclusive video content, free resources, and more! Insider tip: the wild forest mushroom and puff pastry tapas will literally change your world! To get you started, we mapped out an Idaho road trip for you and the family with more diversity than most cross-country trips can provide. Day 9: Grand Teton National Park to Twin Falls, Idaho. Or this comfortable condo in Marina Cay with a master bedroom that looks SO cosy. It went FAST!! Torreys 33F. She stays in touch with her Taiwanese side largely via food, and loves to cook, eat, and discover new dishes around the globe. Here you'll find everything travel, food, and culture. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. Weve got an itinerary for the California bit of it to help you plan: https://practicalwanderlust.com/pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-itinerary/. Looking for a convenient summary of our Montana itinerary? Here are a few highlights: Sawtooth Lake (10 miles RT, moderate rating) Pettit Lake to Twin Lakes (13 miles RT, moderate rating) Bench Lakes (7.8 miles RT, moderate rating) Alpine Lake Trail (7.4 miles RT, moderate rating) You can find tons of other hikes on AllTrails. You can plan your Whitefish getaway in broad strokes and then fill in the details once you get there. Jackson, the closest town, is crowded and expensive. We loved the stuffed French toast and huckleberry pie at Loulas in whitefish so much! Check out some of our other posts! Here are a few essentials to pack and bring with you on your trip: Montana has one of the highest American Indian populations in the US, with about 66,000 people of Tribal heritage. One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. This stunning park is the highlight of any Montana road trip! I almost gave up and turned around halfway through but persisted with the encouragement of Lenza and a one-pound bag of Tillamook beef jerky. sorry you had to deal with that sort of garbage at the Miracle of America Museum. Thank you so much for including info about Native American lands and supporting indigenous communities. If you are on a tighter budget, you can do a mix of motels and camping, or even camp the whole time. Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. Welcome to Montana, where there are two times as many cows as people and miles and miles of gorgeous, rolling wilderness to explore! Theyre now fully emboldened since the governor and other right wing extremists got elected. Road Trip through Idaho to Missoula, Montana After splashing and sunning in Lava Hot Springs and leaving our comfy digs in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we headed straight up the I-15 and then I-90 into Missoula, Montana, our home for two nights and three action packed days. And while youre exploring, if youre a cheese lover (and really, isnt everyone), be sure to stop by Flathead Lake Cheese for samples of local Montana deliciousness. Required fields are marked *. You can continue on from there to Lakeside, where youll find lots of food options. We learned that it is not uncommon for people living in these small towns to drive 1 hours to get to everyday events (like baseball games or getting your tractor fixed). First things first: head immediately to Butterfly Herbs downtown to pick up a huckleberry malt milkshake made with locally made ice cream. Todays your recovery day in between hikes, so youll be taking a slow, leisurely drive around scenic Flathead Lake! They provide an all-encompassing history and experience surrounding the landscape of Glacier National Parks inhabited areas: Park history; animal species; common plants and roots used for nutrition and medicine; and the Blackfoot spiritual and philosophical perspectives/stories of life in the Buffalo Days as well as modern times.. From Livingston, we took a two-hour drive to Red Lodge to enter Yellowstone via the 68-mile Beartooth Highway. The group has a very unique sound and its members come from multiple nations who come together in one musical destination. Whats the difference between a national park and a national monument? The primary difference is the reason for preserving the land. We continued on with no further interruption and made it to the park entrance. The Lewis and Clark Brewery had one of our favorite beers of the trip: the Halo Huckleberry Hefe. Plus, there are miles of scenic hiking trails up and down the mountain. Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip! Id like to update this post to include a heads up to our readers about visiting Whitefish, and Id love your input or any other locals reading this. While we were waiting for him, a pick up truck pulled up to us and the driver yelled Let him go, hell follow!. A Rookies Road Trip Through Montana, Wyoming and Idaho A car-averse traveler finds freedom in the drivers seat, covering 700 miles and three states over three days. However, some Tribal Nations, including the Confederated Salish and Kootnai Tribes and the Blackfeet Nation, are leading the way on Tribal infrastructure and, in turn, tourism. By the time we got ready to canoe back, a storm was starting to roll in. Our visit was during late September (in 2019) and I honestly didnt notice that many crowds, though I also dont have a frame of reference to compare to! If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. Rest time was over at about 5 PM, and we were back out on the road heading to the East park entrance. From there about an hours drive from Big Fork Wild Horse Island is just 45 minutes of athletic activity away! :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a We arrived in the evening, so we watched the sunset at Higgins Street Bridge, took a walk downtown, and had a few drinks at The Rhino Bar, a proper dive with yummy beers on tap (this part of the country has consistently incredible beer). Torreys 33F. That was more budget-friendly anyway and we got to set our own itinerary. Even our new downtown 3-level parking garage gets full now. That would be a dream trip! Day 7: Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park, The Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park. The springs, located at the top of a mountain, are reachable via a relatively short but steep hike. ), and it was Danas job to book us tickets to Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park (they were limiting the number of cars in a day due to the amount of post-Covid 19 travelers to the national parks). Their pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven installed directly in the truck. Thinking Pacific Northwest. The road is 50 miles long and takes about 2 hours one-way with no stopping (but youll definitely be stopping a few times, so allow yourself extra time). Your email address will not be published. Clear Sky. One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. If we had booked months in advance, Im sure we would have saved money but we would have lost out on the flexibility that makes road trips such fun adventures. If I return to Teton in the future, I would try the more difficult Delta Lake vis Amphitheater Lake Trail. With so many people road-tripping, the prices were exorbitant so it was challenging for the budget-conscious traveler. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. How bout the old state prison or butte or battle of the little big horn? The mostly flat loop takes you all the way around Lake Josephine, which is absolutely stunning. Its so important to respect the places youre visiting. Even though they share a border, its a long drive through Idaho to Montana and we love an adventure-packed pit stop so Riggins was the perfect place to stop on a road trip from Idaho to Montana. It was the perfect stopping point for a quick mile hike and a dip in the relaxing, warm spring water. While our itinerary includes 2 days in Glacier NP, if youre planning to spend more time there or youd like to bookend this trip itinerary with a trip to Yellowstone, these two guides are essential. As a western montanan I dont agree with this road trip. This excursion essentially a big loop back to where we started took almost the entire day, but I really wanted to see what is considered one of the most beautiful and treacherous roads in America.
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